Reed-weaving machine



July 24, 192s. z 1,678,011

- M. B. LLOYD REED WEAVING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1925 6 sheets-sheet '1 3,678961 l l?. LYD

REED WEAVING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, w25 e sheets-sheet 2 Jly 24,V 1928. M. B. LLOYD 'REED wl-:Avmsg MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1925 e sheets-sheet s 8 MM o July 24,1928. 1,618,011

M. B. LLOYD REED wEAvING 11110111111:

Filed Aug. 29, 1925 6 sheets-snee; 4

July 2,4, 1928, 1,678,011

f M. B. LLOYD REED wEAvING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 5Y Jly 24,4928. 1,678,011 l. l M. B. LLOYD REED WEAVING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1925 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented July 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT MARSHALL B. LLOYD, OF MENOMINEE, MICHIGAN, AssieNon To HEYWOOn-WAKE- FIELD COMPANY, or BOs'iON, iviAssAcno-snfrfrs, A CORPORATION or MASSACHU- SETTS.

REED-WEAVING MACHINE.

Application filed August 29, 1925. Serial No. 53,281.

This invention relates to improvements in reed Weaving machines and it consists in the matters hereinafter described andniore particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

One of the objects of the preent invention is to provide a machine capable of producing flat reed fabric at speed greater tha-nheretofore and one wherein nnitorinity of i'abric is insured.

Another object ot the invention is to provide an improved vmeans it'or feeding stakes into the shed formed by the filler strands and to straighten said stakes, preferably alter insertion into the shed so that the iinislied fabric will be of a high quality and good appearance throughout its entire length.

A further object of tlieinvention is to pro-r vide a machine which is positive, automa-tic and continuous in its operation and alter starting, needs no attention from the operator7 other than the replenishment ot the stake and strand material..

My invention consists generally in a machine ol the term,4 arrangement, consti-notion and co-operation oitl the parts whereby the above mentioned objects, as well as others are attainable; and'iny invention will. be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate what I consider at the present time, to be the 'preerred embodiment thereof.

Figui is a view in top plan elevation ot a reed weaving' machine en'ibodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail vertical sectional View on an enlarged scale as taken onv the line 9i-2 ot l.

Fig; 3 is a'view in elevation ot that side et the machine as looked at from the right hand endet' l.

Fig. lis a detail transverse vertical. sectional view on an enlarged scaleas taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view'on an enlarged scale as taken` on the line 5 5 of Fig. l.

Fig. G is a detail perspective `view of va portion of the machine frame and filler of Fig. '5.

Fig. 8 is a- -detail vertical sectional viewk as taken'on the line S-S of Fig. 7.

Fig.` 9 is a perspective view of a fragment of one ofthe stake straightening members which will be more fully referred to later.

Fig. l0 is a detail sectional perspective view of parts operating to shift portions of u the iiller strands to provide a shed ior the insertion of the stakes. c

Fig. ll isa View similar to Fig. l() but with some ot' the parts shown ina changed relation.

Fig. Vl2 is a perspective view ot one Ot the members embodied in the means for shitting portions ol the lillei strands to form the v shed.

Fig. lf3 is a perspective view ot another of the members associated witlithe member shown in Fig. l0 for forming the shed.

Fig. il is a detail perspective view of one ot the bearings and guide bars for the part shown in l2.

F ig.A l5 is a detail view in elevation onl an enlarged scale,`oi" partsshown in Fig. l and yaslooked at inthe direction of the arrows associatcd with the line 15-15 thereof.V

Fig.. lGis a detail vertical sectional view as taken'on the line 16e-i6 ot Fig. l5. l, Fig. 17 is a de-tail horizontal sectional viewas taken Aon the line 17-17 of F ig..l5.

Fig. `181is a perspective view of one of a.

my'improved wea-ving machine.

Cross reterenceis-here made to my pair of stake gripping blocks embodied in pending, application Serial No..5t,l39 filed v Sept. 14, 1925, wherein certain matter herein shown but ynot claimed, is shown and claimed ranged tliat even though the stake be slightlyk bent or crooked, it will insert the stake into i the shed, and. in the forward movement of the iabi'ic, the stake is straightened so that the fabric is regular. Thereafter the fabric passes between coacting rolls having longitudinally.y extending angular corrngations lill) which accurately form the strands upon the stakes after which the finished fabric is wound upon a roll or mandrel.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanyino' drawings; the machine includes upright spaced side pla-tes or frames. 1 and 2, respectively, of suitable form. Said side plates are held in the desired spaced relation by means of a front plate 3 and a rea-r tie rod l and if desired other members may be arranged between said front platev and the tie rod to assist the same as is apparent. The side plates or frames include near their forward ends, upright extensions 5 5 and in each of said extensions is formed a rectangular opening 6, closed its front end by a standard 7. Journalled in the rear portions of the said side frames is the main drive shaft 8 which is driven by suitable belting (not shown) and from which the associated mechanisms of the `machine are driven, as will later appear.

Fixed to the rear sides of both standards, in the median plane of the rectangular openings 6, is an edgewise disposed plate 9. rThis plate is provided with a plurality of holes or openings 10--1O therein (see Fig. 6) arranged in different horizontal and vertical planes so as to bring them all into closely spaced adjacent planes, longitudinally of said plate. rlhe warps of the finished fabric on the filler strand members 11-11 and said warps or strands are passed through said openings 10 and to prevent undue abrasion on said strands, the front ends of said openings taper outwardly (see Fig. 6). After said warps or filler strands proceed beyond said plate they occupy closely adjacent vertical planes as is apparent.

At the rear of the opening 6 of each side frame member, are fixed top and bottom cross bars 12 and13, respectively, of angle bar cross section with their vertical flanges 111 at the front and in alignment with each other. In the front face of each vertical flange is provided, longitudinally spaced, vertically disposed grooves 15 as best shown in Fig. 111. Spaced forwardly of said cross bars 12 and 18, are top and bottom transverse bars 16 and 17, respectively, which are rectangular in cross section and are vertically reciprocable toward and away from each other. ln the rear surface of the' transverse bars 16 and 17 are formed longitudinally spaced vertically disposed grooves 18-18 and on the top surface of the top transverse bar 16 and in the bottom surface of the bottom transverse bar 17 is fixed a shoulder' plate 19, each having a portion projectino' rearwardly beyond the plane of the rear face of the associated bar. 2O and 21 indicate, respectively, top and bottom transverse bars arranged above and below the frame connecting cross bar 12 and 13 in The extreme vends of the bar 17 extend into the openingsv G in the side frame mem# bers 1 and 2 and are eachthere provided i with an upstanding rael-r bar 24 (see Figli) while the ends of the bar 16 terminate short of said openings 6 and are each there provided with a rack bar 25 facing in opposition to the rack bar 24. Ai wear 23 suitably journalled in the machine frame side members meshes with and operatively connects said rack bars together so that they move in opposition to each other. Each rack bar 25 has sliding bearing against a guide bar 2G arranged vertically of the associated opening 6 (see Fig. 5).r

Secured to the bars 2O and 21 respectively, yis a plurality of filler strand manipulating members 27, one of which is best shown in perspective in F 12. Each member 27 is in the form 'of an L-shaped block like body 28 having a head 29 at its top end by means of which it is attached to the bar 20 by screws 30. rEhe bottom end of saidmember has a right angular extension and insaid extension and part way up said body portions are grooves or recesses 31 which define spaced plate like parts 82. The grooves and plate like parts are so relatively disposed as to provide a platelile part on one side of the body and a groove like part on the other side of the body. rlChe bottom edges 83 of said plate like parts are finished off on an angle less than a right angle and is inclined upwardly from the rear side of the body 28 toward the front andvon said rear side of the body part is formed a tongue or 3a'- which has sliding' guiding bearing in one of the grooves 15 in the cross bar 14.

`lliounted on the bar 21 is a plurality of filler strand manipulating members 27 which occupy a position reversed end for end-with respect to those on the bar 20. Associated with the bars 16 and 17 are filler strand manipulating members 27a which are identical with respect to the members 27 with the exception that they have no head parts 29 but have a flat end 29a as shown in Fig. 13. The members 27 a associated with the bar 16 occupy a position reversed end for end with respect to those associated with the bar 17 and the flattened end parts 29- thereof engage against the overhanging parts of the shoulder bars 19-19. Then all of said members 27-27a are in their respective positions, the plate parts 32' of said members associated with the bar 20 are locatedl in the same plane as the plate parts 32 of the llltl members 2721 associated With the bar 17, which plane is the plane of the recesses 31 of the other members 27 and 27L associated with the bars 21 and 16, respectively. Likewise the plate parts 32 of the last mentioned members 27 and 27n are arranged in those planes which are coincident With the planes of the recesses 31 in the first mentioned member 27 and 27L associated vvith the bars 2O and 17 respectively. ln threading7 the filler strands through the` block of the manipulating device, said strandsvare disposed between thc angular ends 33 ofthe plate portions of the respective manipulating members and in the reciprocation there of, the strandsare free to follou7 said plates which are movable in the grooves 31 ofthe associated plates as before described. TWith the ends 33 of said blocks disposed in a plane less than a right angle to the body parts thereof, at no time Will all of said ends be arranged in the same common plane but said ends will overlap one another so that thestrands are at no time in a position wherein t1 may become displaced laterally or pinched or otherwise engaged by the laterally adjacent plate parts. As alternate strands are moved in one direction, the intermediate strands are ymoved in the opposite direction, so as to form a shed into which a stake 11a is inserted and after insertion of one stake said strands receive a reverse movement to lock said stake in place and to form a new shed into Which another stake is inserted and so on as best shown in Figs. and 11 respectively. n

The stakes indicated by the numeral 11L and which are the vvefts in the finished fabric are fed into the sheds as they are formed by continuously rotating top and bottom rollers 35 and 36 (see Fig. 15) suitably journaled'in the opening 6 of the side frame member 1, and geared together. T he top roller has a pulley 37 associatedivith 1tl which is driven by a belt 38 from a motor 3S). The sole function of saidmotor which is mounted on the extension 5 of said frame member 1 is to drive the stake feedingl mechanism and stakes are delivered to said feed rollers from a suitable hopper or magazine as Will later appear.

The preformed fabric passes overthe top of a transversely extending` horizontal roll 4() With which a second and similar roll '41 is associated, the fabric following about a portion of said rolle() and then in between both said rolls and is led olf the bottom of the roll 41 to a Winding roll or mandrel at the rear of the machine. The rolls 40 and 41 which are fixed on associated shafts 40" and 41a respectively, journaled in the side frame members 1 and 2, have longitudinally extending corrugations 42 (see Fig. 8) on their peripheries Which corrugations have angularly disposed surfaces as distinguished horizontal plane o f the main drive shaft'S but forwardly thereofand parallel thereivitli is a driven shaft 43 suitably journalled inthe side frame vmembers 1 and 2. On said shaft adjacent the 'inner surface of the side frame member' 2 is a gear'44 which meshes with a. pinion 45 on the ma-in drive shaft. Gn that end of the shaft 43 Without the side frame member 2 is .provided a crank disc and arm 46 and upon said crank arm is journailed one end of a connecting rod 47 (see .Fien

The other end of said rod is operatively connected to a swinging arm 48 loosely mounted on the shaft 41- associated With the corrugated roll 41.v Fixed to the end of the shaft 41a adjacent the swinging' arm 48 is a ratchet Wheel 49 and adjacent said ratchet wheel is a gear 50 Which meshes With and drives a similar gear 52 on the c rresponding end of the shaft 40a associated with the corrugated roll 40. The swinging arm 48 carries a pavvl 48a normally engaged with the ratchet. W'hen'the shaft 43 is driven it is apparent, a step by step rotative movement is imparted to the shafts 40u`and 41@l vnd to the rolls thereon.

Secured to the shaft 43 adjacent the gear 44 is a sprocket 53 which through a chain '54 drives a similar sprocket 55', joilrnaled on a stud 56 fixed lto the side frame mem- 13er 2. arranged in'the vertical plane of but below that of the rack bar 25. Rotative with said sprocket is a mutilated gear 57 and said gear meshes with an associated mutilated gear 58 fiXed on a horizontal shaft 59 arranged vertically above the stud 56 'and journalled at its ends in the side frame members 1 and 2. The gears 57 and 58 are so formed that for each revolution of thegear 57 the gear 58'receives ahalf of a revolution. aired to the ends of the shaft 59 are eccentrics 6G and associatedstraps 61 and said straps are pivotally connectedto vthe rack bars25 of the strand manipulating and shed forming devices to impart the .desired movement thereto. as before described. Also fixed on the .shaft 43 is another sprocket 62 which through a kchain 6.3 drives a similar sprocket secured to a horizontal shaft in the horizontal plane of the shaft but located at the front end of the machine. the shaft' 65 being suitably j ournalled in said side frame members 1 and 2.

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y which is in the form of a tubular sleeve mounted at its ends in the grooves G7 of end plates 68 and (39, respectively, said sleeve being split longitudinally to provide a slot l0 therein. The end plate v68 is fixed to a stub shaft 71 journalled in a suitable bearing T2 fixed on an extension 1a on the rear end of the side frame member 1, while the end plate 69 is fined on a similar stud shaft 73 journalled in a suitable bearing fixed on an extension 2 on the rear `end of the side frame member 2. The purpose of the slot 70 is to permit the insertion of the free end of the formed fabric to operatively connect it to the winding roll so that in the forma-- tion of the fabric, the saine will be wound upon said roll. rllhe stub shaftl 71 includes an extension 71"L of reduceddiameter and loosely mounted on the rsame adjacent the shoulder 71D formed by the parts of different diameters of said stubv shaft is a sprocket ill. Said sprocket is driven by a. chain 75 from a similar sprocket 76 mounted on that end of the shaft dla which extends beyond the side frame member 1. also mounted on the reduced end 71*L ofthe stub shaft 71 is a friction. slip clutch 77 which includes a plate 771 loose on said reduced end and a second plate 77 keyed to said reduced end 71 but capable of a limited endwise movement thereon, disc 77 of liber or the like being interposed between said plates. Said plates are held in close engagement with the liber disc by an expansion spring 78 which surrounfL s the extreme end of said reduced portion Z12L and abuts at one end against the plate Z7 and at its other end against a member 79 mounted on a bolt 80 threaded into said end portion 71a. lt is apparent that in the step by step rotation of the shaft 41a a similar movement is imparted to the winding roll and as the material wound thereon increases in diameter, the clutch 77 will slip to accominodate this increasing diameter. rlhe winding roll is so constructed that when a su'l'licient amount of fabric has been wound thereon, said sleeve 6G may be removed from the end plates 68 and 69 and another one substituted in its stead.

In connection with the means for inserting a stal-re into the shed. which means includes the rolls 35 and 36, l provide a means for feeding` the stakes 11a one at a time from a magazine or holder in proper timed relation to the forming of the successive sheds and such means are as follows: Projecting laterally from the end frame member 1 near its forward end is a frame extension 82 (see Fig. 1) which includes along its forward portion a horizontal flat plate 83 having screw threaded openings 84 therein. That said end frame member 1, said bolt also passing through the proper hole Si so that the position of the magazine may be easily adjusted to the length of the stakes to be used, which, of course, also approximates the desired width of the finished fabric. A

plurality of stakes 11a are placed with their outer ends in bunched relation in said magazine andthe forward portions thereof passed between two vertical plates 88 and 89 which plates are spaced apart a distance to provide a slot 90 equal to substantially the diameter' of the stakes employed. Said plates are located nearer the inserting rolls 353-38 than the magazine 8G and are supported from the rails or guides 235 by brackets 91, with the bottom ends of said slot forming plates 88H89, spaced above the guides 85. l/Vhen said stakes are in the magazine with their forward portions posi.- tioned in the slot 90, one above the other, they will assume a fan shape-like formation. lhe extreme forward ends of the stakes engage with a guide plate 92 of curved form and suitably supported in a substantially vertical position adjacent the frame member' 1, said guide plates having guide rods 93 which prevent said extreme ends of the stakes from flexing laterally thus holding them in the desired plane. ln the bottomend of said guide plate 92 is formed a round opening 9d (see Fig. 15) which is located in the horizontal plane of the peripheral meeting parts of the stake inserting rolls 35-36, which plane' is substantially coincident with the plane of the bottom ends of the slot (SO) forming plates 88 and 89, respectively.

Means are vprovided for gripping the bottom-most stake in the slot and for inserting its inner end through the opening 94 into and between the rollers 35-36 to be fed into the shed formed by the strands and such means are as follows z-Slidable on the rails or guides 85 between the. slot forming plates S25- 89 and the guide plate 92 is a reciprocating block 95 and pivoted on said block as at 96 is a pair of outwardly ex'- tendingand normally diverging links 97-97- Said links are pivotally connected to link blocks 98-98, one of whichis shown in'perspective in Fig. 18 which yblocks are pivoted on a common vertical axis 99 mounted on the inner end of a carriage 100 slidable on said rails or guides 85. Said carriage comprises top and bottom plates 101 and 102, the longitudinal marginal parts of lili) which embrace opposed inner portions yof the rails A--85 andsaid plates are secured together by coacting bolts and springs-103 which act to draw said plates together and provide a frictional clamping action on said rails. Each link block 98 carries a gripper jaw..104 and, on the inner end of one awv is lsecured aftransverse bridge or guard plate 105. The top edge of said guard plate terminates short-of the plane of the top surface ofthe jaw blockso that whenl said jawsolose they can only grip one stake at a time. l I .Reciprocating movement is imparted 'to the block by a connecting rod 106, one endA of which is pivot-ed at 107 to an eXtension on the bottom of said block and the otherend of which is connected to a crank pinv108 on a disc 109 fixed on a horizontal shaft 110 journalled in and extending transversely of and below the extension frame cating movementftowardthe rollers 35`33 will loel impartedy to the. block 95. Said movement of said block-is resisted somewhat by the frictional engagement ofthe carriage with the rails 85-85 with the result that the inner ends of the links 97 97 are caused to `movetoward each other imparting a similar movement to the inner ends of the jaw blocks 98. As said jaw blocks carry the gripping jaws 104, said jaws will grip that stake resting on the guard plate and in the further forward movement of said block 95 will overcome the frictional resistance of the carriage 100 so that said stake is' fed through the opening 911 in the guard plate 92 into and between the feed rolls"35`-36 to be inserted thereby into the shed formed by the strands, as lbefore mentioned. In the rearward reciprocation of the block 95, the links 97 and jaw blocks 98 will open up due to the resistance offered by the carriage 1-00 and in the further movement of said block, the resistance of the carriage is overcome so that all parts are returned to their normal starting position. v

ln the forward movement of the block 95 means are lprovided to engage the stakes near the bottom end of the slot 90 between the plates 881-89 so that no more than afsingle stake is engaged by the jaws 104 and fed to the rolls 85 3G. Said means includes an inverted bell crank leve-r which is pivoted to the plate 88 as at 116. The-vertical arm 115@A is adapted to swing towardrand. away from the slot I90 and-is so formed as to` normally engagey the Vnext tothe bottom stake fin said 4slot sov that it cannot descend.

9 in the outward .withdrawal oftthebottommost stake. The horizontal arm 115b 'of said levery projects laterally Abeyond the plate 88 whereitvis connected by-links 117 with the free end of a lever '118.' Said lever is 1ocated belowfthe rearmost -rail 85 whichicarriesfa depending bracket 119 to lwhich the other endfof the lever 118 is pivoted.- The free end rof said lever which is roundedofl' normally engages upon a`v roller -120 coincident withrthe connection 107 between ythe block `95 and connecting rod 106, A spring 121 (see Fig 15.) which is connected atrone end to aipart of the machine frame and at its other endis connected to said lever, normally kurges said lever into engagement with't-he roller 120. However, when said block 95 is moved towards the rollers235-36as .before described, the lever 118 is left unsupported so that it moves downwardly, thus rocking the .bell crank lever 115 the vertical arm of which willacton the stakes as before described. -In the reverse movement of the block 85 the roller 120 will again engage the lever 118 andwill move it upwardly against the action of the spring 121 when the ver tical'arm of thebell crank lever 115a swings away'from.. the slot 90 under the action of a spring 122eonnecting the horizontal arm of the bell'crankwith the plate 88 so thatfthe now` bottommost stake is presented to the gripper jaws 104, the link 117 being made in two parts to provide movement. ,f l 'i ln many instance-s, the stakes are not Ipei'- fectly straight but are slightly bent and some timessaid stakes arevslight-ly oversize or undersize' and-if inserted-into the shed in its bent condition it is apparent that an irregular-fabric will resultwhich will not meet the requirements of a lirst class fabric. To overcome such a condition I provide means to straighten the stakes and preferably at aftime after `insertion into the fabric and suoli means are as follow-sz-Above the roll 10 and in vertical alignment with the axis ofl its shafti's provided a non-rotative but endwise movable shaft 125 and above said shaft and spaced equal distances on each lside of the plane 'thereof' are rock shafts 126 and'127, respectively, which are journalled at their-ends in the upright extensions 5 of the side frame 'members 1 and 2. Fixed on said rock shafts are segmental o'ears'126a and 127, respectively, which are offset with respect to each other.- The gears 126 mesh with sets of segmental gears 128 and 129, respectively loose on the non-rotative shaft enough latitude in 125. Fixed toand connecting the gears 128L is a plate 128?l while a similar plate 12921v is fixed to and'connects the gears 129 and said plates are so arranged that in one .position of said-.gears128-129 they substantially meet in thevertical fplane ofthe axis 'of the shaft 125, asbest shown in Fig. 8.` On the under side-of each,- plate. is a strip member 130 which carries depending lingers 131. Said fingers extend transversely of said plates and are spaced suitable longitudinal distances apart. As the Woven fabric reaches the `plane. of the shaft 125 said blocks 128"L and 129il are rocked towardy each other, the fingers 181 entering' the spaces between alternate strands on the top surfaces of the stake to engage the stakefrom opposite sides and bring all parts thereof into the same plane so as to straightenthe stake after which the blocks are rocked in the other direction into an open position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8. Of course, as it Will be understood, this stake straightening operation is carried'on when the roll 40 is at rest which period is on the back stroke of the paivl 48 before mentioned.

A short endvvise movement is imparted to the shaft 125 so that said fingers may operate upon each successive stake, the end- Wise movement being` equal to the diameter of a filte strand. This endvvise movement is essential because it must be borne in mind that said fingers operate in the plane of the strands and that the strands pass over one stake and underthe next and if said endWise movement was not provided for said fingers they wouldv directly engage portions of fille." strands passing; over said stakes. Endwise movement in one direct-ion is imparted by means of an arm 135 secured on the extreme end of said shaft youtside the frame member 2 and this arm carries a roller 136 adapted to be engaged by radial vcam teeth'137 fixed to the face of the gear 52. Movement in the other direction is imparted to said shaft' by a helical expansion springllS (see Fig. 7) which is interposed between a collar 139 fixed on said shaft and liiearing sleeve 140 foi-nrl ingr a part of the end frame extensions 5 and through which said shaft has sliding bearing. Movement in this last direction is limited by a second collar 141 fixed to the shaft 125 between the arm 135 and said bearing; sleeve 140. The gears on the 'various shafts are of such length as to still main tain 'their meshing` engagement in the ree ciprocation of the shaft 125.

Rockingy movement is imparted to the shafts 126 and 12iw Which carry meshing gears 126 and 127C' at their extreme ends (see 3) as folloivs:-Secured to the shaft 12S near the end frame member 2 is an arm 145 to which is connected the rear end of a connectingl rod 146. The other. end of said rod is'connected to a crank pin 147 adjustably mounted in a slotted disc 148 f carried on the inner end of a short horizontal one direction is imparted to the shaft126 Which by reason of the gears 126ic and 127 C imparts an opposite rocking movement to the other shaft 127 The machine may be operated to produce a fabric of a Width substantially equal to the length of the roll 40 or less than that when .so desired. fabric be desired, the number of strands employed are reduced accordingly and the length of the stakes Wili'be made in proportion and an L-shaped stop member 155 fixed to the portion 14 of the frame member 12 is provided, as best shown in Figi'. 1, against which the ends of the stakes Will engage as they are inserted into the shed.

As the operation of the parts, as Well as their construction'has been clearly described, itis not thought necessary to again go into a detailed description of said operationbecause the same will be indeed apparent to i thosefamiliar with the art.

rllhe machine is fast andpositive in its operation so that production is attained Without sacrificing the quality of ythel product. rll'he stakes need not be carefully positioned for feeding' into the sheds, and even if said Should a much narrower v stakes are bent When fed -into lthe sheds,

they are straightened While in the fabric.

Vilhile in describing` my invention "l have referred to certain details of mechanical construction as well as form and arrangement of the parts thereof, I do not Wish to be limited thereto except as may be pointed out in the appended claims. f

l claim as my invention:

1. A reed Weaving machine embodying therein, means for forminga plurality 'of strands into a shed, means for introducing sta-kes into said shed, and means for straightening each stake When inthe fabric and at a plane spaced from that of'its introduction into the shed. J y

2. A reed Weaving machine embodyingr therein, means for forming a plurality of strands into a shed, means for introducing sta-kes into said shed, and coacting devices adapted to engage portions of the stakes between spaced strands to straighten said stakes after their introduction into the shed.

3. A reed weaving machine embodying therein, means for forming a plurality of strands into a shed, means for introducing stakes intov said shed, (reacting devices rock able about a common axis and adapted to engage portions of the stakes between spaced" strands to straighten said stakes after introduction into the shed.

4. A reed Weaving machine embodying therein meansv for forming a plurality of strands into a shed, means for introducing,r stakes into thev shed, coactingdevices adapt* ed to engage portions of the stakes between spaced-strands tor straighten each stake, and means providing,- a relative lateral movement llt) iso

between said strands and said devices sothat said devices will engage the next succeeding Stake. y

5. A reed weaving machiney embodying therein means for forming a pluralityhof strands into a shed, means for introducing stakes into the shed, coacting devices adapted to engage portions of the stakes between spaced strands to straighten each stake, said devices being capable of a lateral movement with respect to the stra-nds to engage the next succeeding stake, and means for imparting said lateral movement to said devices.

6. A reed weaving machine embodying therein means for forming a plurality of strands into a shed, means for introducing stakes into the shed, coacting devices adapt ed to engage portions of the stakes between spaced strands to straighten each stake, said devices being capable of a lateral reeipro eating movement with respect to said strands so as-to engage each succeeding stake, and means for imparting a lateral reciprocating movement to said devices. Y

7. A reed weaving -machine embodying therein, means for forming a plurality Cf strands into a shed, means forfintroducing stakes into said shed, a support extending transversely of the fabric, coacting straightening devices mounted on said support and rockable thereon to engage portions of said stakes between the strands, and means for rocking said devices.

8. A reed weaving machine embodying therein, means for forming a plurality of strands into a shed, means for introducing stakes into said shed, a. support extending transversely of the fabric, coacting straightening devices mounted on said support and roekablc thereon to engage portions of said stakes between the strands, means for roekf ing said devices, and means for imparting a reciprocating movementr to Asaid support Atransversely of said strands.

S). A reed weaving machine embodying therein, means for forming a plurality of strands into a shed, means for introducing a stake into the shed, a shaft arranged trans versely of the strands, sta-ke straightening devices mounted on saidl shaft and rockable thereon to engage portions of the stakes bes tween the4 strands, each deviceI including gears spaced on said shaft, rock shafts arranged above the first mentioned shaft and includingintermeshing gears, and gears meshing with those on said first mentioned shaft.

10. A reed weaving machine embodying therein, means for forming a plurality of strands into a shed, means for introducing stakes into the shed, a shaft arranged transversely of the strands, devices mounted on said shaft and rockable `thereon to engage portions of the stakes between the strands,

arranged in spaced relation upon said shaft' and arranged 1n sets, a bar connecting each set of gears and rockable toward and away from each other, stakel engaging lingersv mounted on said bars to engage portions of the stakes between the strands, and oppositely rocking shaftsV with gears thereon, the gears on one rock shaft meshing Iwith the set of gears on the first mentioned shaft and the gears on the other rock shaft meshing with the otherA setof gears on said first mentioned shaft. y

l2. A reed weavmgmachme embodying therein, means for forming a pluralityof4 strands into a shed, meansffor introducing stakes into the shed, a shaft arranged trans# versely of the strands, loose gear members arranged in spaced relation upon said shaft and arranged in sets, a bar connecting each set of gears and rockable toward and away from each other,A state lengaging lingers mounted on said bars toengage portions of the stakes between the strands, oppositely rocking shafts with gea-rs thereon, the gears on one rock vshaft meshing with one set' of gears on the first mentioned shaft and the gears on the other rock shaft meshing with the other set of gears on said first mentioned shaft, and means for reciprocating said first mentioned shaft without disturbing the meshing relation of the gears thereon with those on the rock shaft.

13. A reed weaving machine embodying therein means for forming a plurality of strands into a shed, means for introducing stakes into said shedl to form the fabric, means for feeding the fabric step by step and including coacting rolls with longitudinally extending angular corrugations thereon conforming to the contour of the fabric, and means for engaging the stakes while the fabric is one one roll for straighteningsaid stakes.

14;. A reed weaving machine embodying therein means for forming a plurality of strands into a shed, means for introducing stakes into said shed to form the fabric, means for feeding the fabric step by step and including coacting rolls with longitudinally extending angular corrugations thereon conforming to the contour of the fabric, and coacting devices adapted to engage porsis tions of the stakes between the strands from opposite sides of the stakes while the fabric is on one roll for straightening said stakes. l5. A reed weaving machine embodying therein means for forming a plurality of strands into a shed, means for introducing stakes into said shed to form the fabric, means for feeding the fabric step by step and including coacting rolls with longitudinally extending angular corrugations thereon conforming to the contour of the fabric, coacting devices capable of both a reciprocating movement transversely of said Strands and also a rocking movement to engage portions of the stakes between the strands from opposite sides of the stakes while the fabric is onone roll for straightening the same, and means actuated in the step by step movement of said roll for imparting a reciprocating movement to said devices.

16. A reed weaving machine embodying therein, means for forming a plurality of strands into successive sheds, means for.

holding a plurality of stakes, means associated with said holding means for arranging portions of said stakes in a vertical stack, one above theother, means for inserting stakes endwise into said sheds, and a reciprocating device operative to engage the bottommost stake portion in said arranging means when moving in one direction and to present it endwise to said .stake inserting means, said reciprocating device beinginoperative with respect to said stake portions when moving in the other direction.

17. A lreed weaving machine embodying therein, means for forming a plurality of strands into successive sheds, means for holding a plurality of stakes, means associated with said holding means for arranging portions of said stakes in a vertical stack, one above the other, means for inserting stakes into said sheds, a reciprocating device arranged in advance of said stake arranging means, and coacting gripping jaws movable with said device and operable in one directionv to grip the bottommost stake and present it to said stake inserting means, said jaws opening up in the return movement of said reciprocating device.

18. A reed weaving machine embodying therein, means for forming a plurality of strands into successive sheds, means for holding a plurality o-f stakes in bunched rela-` tion, means including upright spaced plates defining a slot the width of a stake to l'eceive end portions of all the stakes and to ,ori

arrange them in a vertical stack, means for inserting a stake endwise into the sheds, a reciprocating device to engage the bottommost stake portion to present it endwise to the stake inserting means andamovable member mounted on one of said' plates and operative in one movement of said reciproeating device tol engage said stake portions just above the bottom of said slot to hold the same therein.

19. A reed weaving machine embodying therein means for forming a plurality of strands into successive sheds, means providing a slot in which portions of stakes are held, one above the other, means for inserting stakes into said sheds, a reciprocating device, gripper j aws actuated in the forward movement of said' reciprocating device to engage the bottommost stake and to present the same to said stake inserting 4means and a bridge plate associated with said gripper jaws preventing the same from engaging' more than saidbottommost stake portion.

20. A reed weaving machine embodying therein means for forming a plurality of strands into successive sheds, means providing a slot inwhich portions of stakes are held, one above the other, means for inserting stakes into said sheds, a reciprocating device, a carriage associated therewith, said reciprocating device andicarriage moving together, but being capable of a limited independent movement, gripper blocks including jaws mounted on the carriage, links mounted on said reciprocating device and operatively connected to said jaws, said block whenl reciprocated in one direction moving a limited distance independently of the carriage to cause said jaws to engage the bot-tommost stake and to present said stake to said' stake inserting means.

21. A reed weaving machine embodying therein, means for forming a plurality of strands into successive sheds, means for holding stake portions in a vertical stack,

one above the other, a device adjacent said stake inserting means and engaged by the ends of said stakes, said device having an opening in line with said stake inserting means and means for engaging the bottommost stake portion in said stack and passing it through said opening and presenting it to said ystake inserting means.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto-set my hand, this 24th day o-f August, 1925.

MARSHALL B. LLOYD. 

